Hertia Cesca, the sole heir of King Edgar II of Arundell, was bound by a political marriage to the prince of the neighboring realm, Crichton. As King Edgar II neared the end of his life, plagued by troubles, having no other children, a perplexing dilemma arose. The Kingdom of Arundell had never witnessed a queen on its throne. Yet, in his final moments, the aged king bequeathed the crown to his only daughter, leaving his last will etched upon his deathbed.
And his will stated: “My daughter, Hertia Cesca, shall ascend the throne as the next monarch.”
While some dutifully followed the king’s last wish, dissident voices reverberated. The nobles conspired to crown the king’s cousin, the Duke of Lancas, as the next ruler, casting Hertia into captivity within the castle walls.
The coronation that seemed destined for Arundell’s throne swiftly took an unexpected turn when Hertia, aided by Crichton, managed to escape her confinement.
Hertia swiftly embraced the aristocracy of Crichton, much to the chagrin of the Arundell nobles. Her actions aimed to prove that she, as a woman, possessed the capacity to lead. And she was right. With her intellect, temperament, and courage, she rallied the nobles of Crichton. Despite bearing a child at a young age, she adorned herself in battle armor, riding fearlessly into the chaos of the battlefield astride her loyal warhorse.
The civil war and the struggle for the throne waged on for a year. Eventually, Hertia and Lancas, weary of witnessing their country’s descent into ruin, met and struck an agreement. The terms were as follows: upon Lancas’s demise, the throne would pass to Hertia’s son instead of her.
Thus, a treaty pact was forged, putting an end to the war and ushering the nation into an era of peace. With Lancas passing away prematurely, Hertia’s son ascended the throne. However, due to his youth and inexperience, it was Hertia who currently managed the affairs of state.
Rihannan’s mother, hailing from the royal bloodline of Crichton, visited her relative, Hertia, at the conclusion of the Arundell and Crichton civil war. It was during this time that Rihannan’s mother fell in love with her father. After her mother married and settled in Arundell, her correspondence with Hertia remained constant, solidifying the queen’s role as the godmother to Rihannan.
Hertia could never disregard Rihannan’s letters. After all, she was the daughter of her beloved cousin.
“….Very well…”
Ned surrendered, raising a white flag. He handed the documents to Rihannan, who began perusing the terms and conditions with ease.
Observing her, Ned pondered how someone so young had acquired such knowledge of tax embezzlement. However, he dared not inquire. Strangely enough, she exuded an air of wisdom beyond her years, resembling a seasoned adult accustomed to serving countless individuals, rather than a twelve-year-old child who had just lost her mother.
It was unfathomable why he harbored such thoughts.
“Just as I suspected.”
Rihannan studied the documents meticulously, opening several pages before Ned.
“I would appreciate the counsel of an advisor regarding the interpretation of these clauses.”
Rihannan smiled. “And, naturally, it will align with my intentions. Unless, of course, you prefer languishing in a jail cell.”
***
When Mary arrived with the carriage, Lawyer Ned Gowan squirmed nervously, hanging onto Rihannan’s every instruction. As she finished relaying her orders, he had no time to savor his tea and hurriedly departed to carry out her bidding.
“What did you discuss with the lawyer?”
“I instructed him to freeze all my assets.” Rihannan answered Mary’s question, her face radiating pure curiosity.
“Miss?”
“This way, my father won’t be able to touch them.”
Mary nearly blurted out another trivial inquiry, but she realized its futility as Rihannan turned her head, gazing out of the window. Parting the curtains, she silently watched the carriage enter through the gates.
“The Count has finally arrived, Miss,” Mary chimed with a cheerful tone.
“Yes, and he shall be accompanied by a guest,” Rihannan replied.
“A guest? Arriving today?” Mary’s head tilted, her hand gently caressing her cheek. “Oh my, what shall we do? I am ill-prepared to receive any guests!”
“Fret not, Mary. I shall send her away as soon as she arrives.”
“But, Miss, that would be impolite…”
“Let us proceed, Mary,” Rihannan declared, relinquishing her grip on the curtains.
The maids and servants sprang into action upon hearing the news of the Count’s return. Rihannan stood on the second-floor stairway, awaiting the opening of the door.
In her previous life, on this very day, she had been a restless child, weeping for her deceased mother. Overwhelmed with joy upon hearing of her father’s return, she had darted out in anticipation, eager to witness his face and fill the void consuming her heart.
All she had yearned for was solace, consolation, and the shared mourning of her mother’s passing with her husband. He was the only one who could understand her sorrow, and she had even anticipated that her father, despite his callous nature, would embrace her in his arms…
But reality proved far from her hopes.
As she rushed out the door, her eyes fell upon a little girl clutching her father’s large hand. The child’s eyes sparkled with happiness, and Rihannan sensed an immediate connection between her and the man she called her father.
And soon enough, her suspicions were confirmed.
He did not hesitate to admit the truth.
The child was her half-sister, Leticia Alessin.
From the moment he abandoned the traumatized child, still grieving the loss of her mother, and brought in an illegitimate child unbeknownst to her, Rihannan’s world crumbled. She was never the same after that.
Rihannan suddenly recalled her father’s words at that time.
“Rihannan, this is the child who had to grow up alone in the outside world because of you and your mother. I hope you treat her well. Please, Rihannan.”
Lost in the reminiscence of the past, Rihannan tightened her grip on the stairway railings for a fleeting moment. Her gaze hardened upon the closed door, her nails scraping against the dark mahogany wood.
For the next few years, she lived a seemingly problem-free life. At the time, Rihannan had no inkling that Count Alessin vigilantly guarded their public image, for he was tasked with managing the properties bequeathed to his daughter as her guardian. If any misfortune befell Rihannan, it was certain that her maternal relatives in Arundell and Crichton would demand an explanation.
Thus, he had taken great pains to prevent any rumors about Rihannan from spreading, meticulously cutting her off from personal contact with her family.
The years had not been kind to her. Rihannan never found solace due to Leticia’s veiled torment. Leticia could get away with many things; after all, she was their father’s favorite.
Fortunately, the harassment and bullying never crossed a certain threshold. Leticia contented herself with coveting Rihannan’s garments and jewels, requests that her father dutifully fulfilled.
It was bearable, to some extent.
It was only after Rihannan was proclaimed Queen that Leticia…
When the young king reached a suitable age for marriage, Hertia considered Rihannan. She would be his bride, lacking nothing and deemed the perfect candidate. Moreover, she was Hertia’s goddaughter, adding to the appeal.
Indeed, Rihannan stood as the sole candidate for the position of queen.
“She and I share the same father… Why is she the only one chosen as the queen candidate? Why am I denied a chance?”
One day, shortly after receiving the Queen’s letter, Rihannan happened upon the sight of Leticia clinging to her father in tears. Adorned in opulent attire and accessories, she made a desperate plea.
“Leticia, this is beyond my control, something I cannot alter. The Queen herself has appointed Rihannan, and we must comply with her directives.”
“Can’t you send a letter to the capital? She cannot be the queen! I cannot bear to see her become queen! Father, what shall I do when she ascends the throne? Do not let her go anywhere, father!”
“If we do not send Rihannan away, the Queen will dispatch someone here herself. It would only exacerbate matters.”
“I am the only daughter you truly love, and yet, I cannot be your true daughter!”
The country’s laws did not recognize illegitimate children, be it among the nobility or royalty. If Leticia’s mother were still alive and had remarried Count Alessin after Rihannan’s mother’s death, the circumstances would have been different. Yet, the child would forever bear the stigma of illegitimacy, for her parents had not officially wed at the time of her birth. Furthermore, if Leticia’s mother hailed from the aristocracy, she would have had no difficulty integrating into noble circles. Alas, her mother was a commoner, and that could not be altered.
Leticia resided in their household not as the Count’s biological daughter, but as a foster child. Legally, she possessed no rights unless connected by blood. She had no wealth or social standing, which led Count Alessin to embezzle funds through Ned Gowan, solely for Leticia’s benefit.
It was all for Leticia.
Hertia Cesca, the sole heir of King Edgar II of Arundell, was bound by a political marriage to the prince of the neighboring realm, Crichton. As King Edgar II neared the end of his life, plagued by troubles, having no other children, a perplexing dilemma arose. The Kingdom of Arundell had never witnessed a queen on its throne. Yet, in his final moments, the aged king bequeathed the crown to his only daughter, leaving his last will etched upon his deathbed.
And his will stated: “My daughter, Hertia Cesca, shall ascend the throne as the next monarch.”
While some dutifully followed the king’s last wish, dissident voices reverberated. The nobles conspired to crown the king’s cousin, the Duke of Lancas, as the next ruler, casting Hertia into captivity within the castle walls.
The coronation that seemed destined for Arundell’s throne swiftly took an unexpected turn when Hertia, aided by Crichton, managed to escape her confinement.
Hertia swiftly embraced the aristocracy of Crichton, much to the chagrin of the Arundell nobles. Her actions aimed to prove that she, as a woman, possessed the capacity to lead. And she was right. With her intellect, temperament, and courage, she rallied the nobles of Crichton. Despite bearing a child at a young age, she adorned herself in battle armor, riding fearlessly into the chaos of the battlefield astride her loyal warhorse.
The civil war and the struggle for the throne waged on for a year. Eventually, Hertia and Lancas, weary of witnessing their country’s descent into ruin, met and struck an agreement. The terms were as follows: upon Lancas’s demise, the throne would pass to Hertia’s son instead of her.
Thus, a treaty pact was forged, putting an end to the war and ushering the nation into an era of peace. With Lancas passing away prematurely, Hertia’s son ascended the throne. However, due to his youth and inexperience, it was Hertia who currently managed the affairs of state.
Rihannan’s mother, hailing from the royal bloodline of Crichton, visited her relative, Hertia, at the conclusion of the Arundell and Crichton civil war. It was during this time that Rihannan’s mother fell in love with her father. After her mother married and settled in Arundell, her correspondence with Hertia remained constant, solidifying the queen’s role as the godmother to Rihannan.
Hertia could never disregard Rihannan’s letters. After all, she was the daughter of her beloved cousin.
“….Very well…”
Ned surrendered, raising a white flag. He handed the documents to Rihannan, who began perusing the terms and conditions with ease.
Observing her, Ned pondered how someone so young had acquired such knowledge of tax embezzlement. However, he dared not inquire. Strangely enough, she exuded an air of wisdom beyond her years, resembling a seasoned adult accustomed to serving countless individuals, rather than a twelve-year-old child who had just lost her mother.
It was unfathomable why he harbored such thoughts.
“Just as I suspected.”
Rihannan studied the documents meticulously, opening several pages before Ned.
“I would appreciate the counsel of an advisor regarding the interpretation of these clauses.”
Rihannan smiled. “And, naturally, it will align with my intentions. Unless, of course, you prefer languishing in a jail cell.”
***
When Mary arrived with the carriage, Lawyer Ned Gowan squirmed nervously, hanging onto Rihannan’s every instruction. As she finished relaying her orders, he had no time to savor his tea and hurriedly departed to carry out her bidding.
“What did you discuss with the lawyer?”
“I instructed him to freeze all my assets.” Rihannan answered Mary’s question, her face radiating pure curiosity.
“Miss?”
“This way, my father won’t be able to touch them.”
Mary nearly blurted out another trivial inquiry, but she realized its futility as Rihannan turned her head, gazing out of the window. Parting the curtains, she silently watched the carriage enter through the gates.
“The Count has finally arrived, Miss,” Mary chimed with a cheerful tone.
“Yes, and he shall be accompanied by a guest,” Rihannan replied.
“A guest? Arriving today?” Mary’s head tilted, her hand gently caressing her cheek. “Oh my, what shall we do? I am ill-prepared to receive any guests!”
“Fret not, Mary. I shall send her away as soon as she arrives.”
“But, Miss, that would be impolite…”
“Let us proceed, Mary,” Rihannan declared, relinquishing her grip on the curtains.
The maids and servants sprang into action upon hearing the news of the Count’s return. Rihannan stood on the second-floor stairway, awaiting the opening of the door.
In her previous life, on this very day, she had been a restless child, weeping for her deceased mother. Overwhelmed with joy upon hearing of her father’s return, she had darted out in anticipation, eager to witness his face and fill the void consuming her heart.
All she had yearned for was solace, consolation, and the shared mourning of her mother’s passing with her husband. He was the only one who could understand her sorrow, and she had even anticipated that her father, despite his callous nature, would embrace her in his arms…
But reality proved far from her hopes.
As she rushed out the door, her eyes fell upon a little girl clutching her father’s large hand. The child’s eyes sparkled with happiness, and Rihannan sensed an immediate connection between her and the man she called her father.
And soon enough, her suspicions were confirmed.
He did not hesitate to admit the truth.
The child was her half-sister, Leticia Alessin.
From the moment he abandoned the traumatized child, still grieving the loss of her mother, and brought in an illegitimate child unbeknownst to her, Rihannan’s world crumbled. She was never the same after that.
Rihannan suddenly recalled her father’s words at that time.
“Rihannan, this is the child who had to grow up alone in the outside world because of you and your mother. I hope you treat her well. Please, Rihannan.”
Lost in the reminiscence of the past, Rihannan tightened her grip on the stairway railings for a fleeting moment. Her gaze hardened upon the closed door, her nails scraping against the dark mahogany wood.
For the next few years, she lived a seemingly problem-free life. At the time, Rihannan had no inkling that Count Alessin vigilantly guarded their public image, for he was tasked with managing the properties bequeathed to his daughter as her guardian. If any misfortune befell Rihannan, it was certain that her maternal relatives in Arundell and Crichton would demand an explanation.
Thus, he had taken great pains to prevent any rumors about Rihannan from spreading, meticulously cutting her off from personal contact with her family.
The years had not been kind to her. Rihannan never found solace due to Leticia’s veiled torment. Leticia could get away with many things; after all, she was their father’s favorite.
Fortunately, the harassment and bullying never crossed a certain threshold. Leticia contented herself with coveting Rihannan’s garments and jewels, requests that her father dutifully fulfilled.
It was bearable, to some extent.
It was only after Rihannan was proclaimed Queen that Leticia…
When the young king reached a suitable age for marriage, Hertia considered Rihannan. She would be his bride, lacking nothing and deemed the perfect candidate. Moreover, she was Hertia’s goddaughter, adding to the appeal.
Indeed, Rihannan stood as the sole candidate for the position of queen.
“She and I share the same father… Why is she the only one chosen as the queen candidate? Why am I denied a chance?”
One day, shortly after receiving the Queen’s letter, Rihannan happened upon the sight of Leticia clinging to her father in tears. Adorned in opulent attire and accessories, she made a desperate plea.
“Leticia, this is beyond my control, something I cannot alter. The Queen herself has appointed Rihannan, and we must comply with her directives.”
“Can’t you send a letter to the capital? She cannot be the queen! I cannot bear to see her become queen! Father, what shall I do when she ascends the throne? Do not let her go anywhere, father!”
“If we do not send Rihannan away, the Queen will dispatch someone here herself. It would only exacerbate matters.”
“I am the only daughter you truly love, and yet, I cannot be your true daughter!”
The country’s laws did not recognize illegitimate children, be it among the nobility or royalty. If Leticia’s mother were still alive and had remarried Count Alessin after Rihannan’s mother’s death, the circumstances would have been different. Yet, the child would forever bear the stigma of illegitimacy, for her parents had not officially wed at the time of her birth. Furthermore, if Leticia’s mother hailed from the aristocracy, she would have had no difficulty integrating into noble circles. Alas, her mother was a commoner, and that could not be altered.
Leticia resided in their household not as the Count’s biological daughter, but as a foster child. Legally, she possessed no rights unless connected by blood. She had no wealth or social standing, which led Count Alessin to embezzle funds through Ned Gowan, solely for Leticia’s benefit.
It was all for Leticia.
